owl sees all

It's Xmas Eve.

Sunday afternoon - 24-12-2023

 

So proud of Mildred.

She went to Udon on Wednesday, to represent her school year in the English Writing Competition. The students, from the different schools, had to write a story about a picture. They had just ten seconds to look at the pic, before it was whisked away. The writing commenced. Yime limit; 50 minutes. Had to write a minimum of 150 words, and the piece had to include 6 special words, appropriate to the pic.

And Mildred came in first!

Next stop, next year, is a Regional competition. And she will be representing Udon Thani Province.

 

It's all about drilling for the solar water systems at the mo'. After I dropped Mildred off in Ban Dung on Wednesday, I had two important tasks. One was to buy some tea for me morning cuppas. And then off to the deep-well drillers, to sort out water business. On the way I just had to stop and snap the road repairs on the 2022.

 

I think any new plans for big new sections, that must cost millions, have been shelved, and just the terrible sections are being repaired. After all there is only so much dosh allocated for Isaan roads. And some of that disappears down side-streets.

 

 

And what a fine job too.

 

So much trouble with the old pump. I was convinced that the spindle in the drum was broken. So i ordered one on Lazada, and it arrived just two days later. Took it to the farm on Thursday and it roared into life after just one pull of the start cord.

 

 

Pumped 6,000 litres in the time I was there on Thursday.

 

Main task was to fill three holding tanks. These were built for fishes way back.

 

 

Bit of a leak in number three.

 

 

And gave the palms a drop.

 

 

Pump looking good. Just 1,850 baht.

 

Any more pumping will be done from number one or two ponds from now on. Plenty of water in those two.

 

Got Soo to clear the area around the concrete water holders. It was chocka with undergrowth and pipe rubbish.

 

 

Yesterday, me and Mildred did a rubbish collection, in the area where Soo had been chomping.

 

 

Then it was chop-chop time.

 

 

No good looking at me dear. They won't chop themselves.

 

 

Then into the fire for burning.

 

Done the three-monthly pics of the euca trees from the far corner of number one.

 

 

Looking North.

 

 

Looking North-east.

 

 

Looking East down the government road.

 

 

TBH, the trees are a disappointment. Number one farm, with 9,500 trees is a let down. Only 10% are acceptable. Compared to number four farm where 90% are good. There are a couple of reasons why this might be. One is that the big farm was planted when it was dry. Then there was a big downpour and the 1,500 trees in number four were planted in wet ground.

Also there was a slight change in planting method. Thirdly; the soil in number four had been well looked after by Pam; who we bought the farm from.

 

And the drillers were contacted. I went along to their yard on Wednesday morning. Dogs and chickens everywhere.

 

Drilling machine resting.

 

 

 

Did the deal. Two wells for 18,000 baht.

 

Started the next day.

 

 

Need lots of water for the drilling.

 

 

First well finished. It was of to number two.

 

 

I told them to be careful of the pipework. Wouldn't want to have to dig that lot up. And they were. Not one damaged.

 

 

With the three solar systems in mind, I was looking at how others mounted their panels.

 

Single concrete post. Just the one panel.

 

 

Single metal post. Two panels.

 

 

And the system next to Guy's farm. Three panels 1,200 watts all told.

 

 

I'm gonna put in four concrete posts. Have ordered them, and will pick them up on Boxing Day.

 

Bit wibbly-wobbly on the 2022. Going to the recycle tecnicians.

 

 

As always in Isaan. Some glorious skies.

 

 

First well went 42 metres down. Water at 8 metres.

 

As soon as I finish posting today, I'll be ordering the first solar pump and controller from Lazada. I'll wait until after Xmas to order the solar panels. I'm thinking 3x400 watt panels. The pump will be 750 watt 24v, with 1.5 inch outlet. The controller Debeto. Have also to get 100+ metres of special cable for the controller to the pump. Shouldn't use standard wire, as it's always gonna be in water. Also a crimping and waterproofing kit.

If all goes well, I;ll order again in the new year for the other two systems. I'll keep a tally, and technical record, of the systems and the money. This could help others in their future ventures.

 

=========

 

Plenty of footy matches recently and coming up. Was particularly impressed with the Cherries and Hatters yesterday. Top two in the EPL drew 1-1 at Anfield. Owls lost at home. Foxes, Saints and Peacocks all had convincing wins.

 

Been quite cold for the last three days. Thermometer read 7C when I got up on Thursday morning. 12C yesterday and 15C today. So gradually getting warmer. Little fires all over the village.

 

The last half dozen times I've gone to the farm, Robert has kept me company. Can trust him not to run off now. Both dogs now 14 months old.

 

Drove through the old farm Friday. The new owners have not yet changed anything. If they decide to cut the trees down I'll be there with the camera. Not quick, easy or cheap. And they have over 300!!
 

Anyone who has been there on the solar, water deep-well scene; please get in touch. It's all new to me. I'll have any advice a'going.

 

Only one thing left to say; merry Christmas y'all.

 

 

 

It's Sunday the 17th of December 2023, and this is Owl Log.

 

The two cats and Robert like the new food. I'd not seen this particular flavour before; chicken and tuna.

 

 

No sooner did the Lazada delivery come, and Big C dropped the price of their own-brand cat food to 32.5 baht a 400gm can. Works out at roughly the same price.

As soon as I go to feed the cats, Robert is there for a mouthful. Oscka is not so keen. He likes biscuit more.

 

 

Mrs Owl filled up ten bags of leaves and twigs. Time for me and Mildred to distribute the contents over the rice paddy area.

 

 

I did the work. Mildred did the recording.

 

 

Just throw them as far as possible.

 

 

Go into the field - empty the contents - and do a bit of scattering.

 

 

Another little job done.

 

Didn't have so much luck with the water pump. Wasted so much time on it. Starts up easy; but will not pump.

 

 

99 times out of a 100, the problem is on the inlet side. Only want a little hole for air, and it will not pump water up. But I've fixed up water pumps dozens of times, and this time I don't think the spindle is connected. Have four pumps altogether. I've decided to ditch the two smaller ones and replace with a new. Will get one this week.

 

What did we see, on the main drag, going into Ban Dung?

 

 

Stopped the Mazza to get a couple of pics.

 

 

Did promise myself that I would do road repairs this year. So,,,,.

 

 

Went to the stone place and filled up the Mazza with stone, block-grit and sand.

 

 

Couldn't help noticing the new, huge tower.

 

 

It must be 70 metres high. Gonna sneak in there one day soon. Climb that ladder, and enjoy the views Maybe take some nice pics.

 

Then the road got a make-over.

 

 

Was rewarded with one of those special skies.

 

 

Mildred finished one of her paintings last week. I thought it was a cracker.

 

 

Unfortunately there is no room on the wall. So took one down to make room for the latest.

 

 

And up went 'Tree Girls'. Next to my favourite; 'Green Hair'.

 

 

Patched up the Mazza door. Still not great. But it locks, and sometimes the leccy window works. Checked on the price of a new panel. Over 1,200 baht. Then there is fitting; although I could do it myself to save 100 baht.

 

 

Stopped at a food stall on the way back from Ban Dung. They had a lovely pet.

 

 

Biggest event of the week was cutting down a Palm tree.

 

 

One of the solar systems is going in this area, and the palm would have blocked the sun.

 

 

Another reward earlier today. Beautiful Isaan sky.

 

 

The solar cells systems are go, go go. Not gonna be cheap, but there is a few baht left over from the land sale. Drove through that farm this morning. Brought a lump to me throat; and a wet eye. But at least the wife's debts are paid off. So she can sleep more soundly. And a bonus; hardly any whacks this week. She seems happier.

 

Mildred has been selected to represent her year on an English something or other. She has to speak English in front of  a few hundred kids and narrate the story of 'Cupid'. I've learned something too. Cupid was an arrow, shot by Eros at Psyche (he missed) on the orders of Aphrodite (Eros' jealous mum). Feel much better knowing that. Hope they give her a mike, or no-one will hear the little mouse voice.

 

More points dropped at home by City. Are they throwing the EPL Title away? Owls beat QPR. Game at Cherries was abandoned due to a Hatters' player feeling very sick. Orient win away. Toon recover their winning ways.

 

Fixed up the rice-store door. Wire mesh all over the place now. That will stop those little rats and mouses feasting them selves rotten.

 

Just had a call from the car-fix place. They can get a door panel for just 300 baht; second hand. Mrs Owl did the chatting. She said ''no''. It was a beige colour and ours is grey. The search continues.

 

No rain since the first week in October. Water in the ponds has gone down about 40/50 cm.

 

Soo has just come for petrol for his cutter. This is to clear the area for the other solar system. The whole area is overgrown and needs sorting. Mrs Owl is not keen on me doing anything that is not flashy. As in gold, or handbags or a leccy scooter that she can go to Buddha on. It's less than 100metres away; but!!! That farm-sale dosh will soon be all gone.

 

Only one thing left to say; bye y'all. And thanks for the advice on how best to handle a Thai wife. I'm learning fast.

 

Well knock me down with a feather. The Thai lottery?! Nearly forgot to mention it. Drawn yesterday. Trust you all have a little win.

 

Bloody useless thing!!

 

2 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Like Chickens Legs it is hoped you are half joking. How arrogant could a person be after causing her family so many issues to dare taking the moral high ground on anything. Hopefully she is at least being financially responsible from now, or steps can be taken to make her be financially responsible if that is possible, so you can relax with the nice things you have. 

 

When we picked up the second chanot on Saturday, I did suggest that it would be better if I looked after them all. Just in case she was tempted. She said that she would not do it again, and anyway, she was too old to do it. (50 last birthday) I said that at 49 she thought it was OK?

 

Mrs Owl has been talking about buying a leccy m/c with the 40k we now have, after the land sale. I want to get one, maybe two solar water systems for the 400+ palm trees in number two. My thinking is that the palms will give good nuts all year round if they get water all year round. If we don't give water then there is little point in keeping them.

 

It's a bit complicated, but to simplify. When a man and lady get together the fruits of their hard work pops out 9 months later. When the oil palm seeds first appear (every 3 weeks) the tree has to make a decision; male or female. If there are nutrients, and more importantly water/moisture, in the ground, the result will be a bunch of nuts; female 18/20 months later.. If there is no water or nutrients then the seeds go male. The difference being, that a male weights no more that half a kilo, and takes up little energy, while a female bunch matures at well over 20 kg. It's nature's way of protecting itself.

 

So1 I'm looking about.